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Doc.  No.  7  ]  |_part  IL 


II  K  P()  R  1 


OF    TUB 


QUARTER  MASTER  GENERAL 


OF    THE 


STATE  OF  INDIANA, 


IN    REPLY    TO 


A  RESOLUTION  OF  THE   SENATE. 


SENATE.— Laid  on  the  table  and  500  copies  ordered  to  be  printed. 


INDIANAPOLIS: 

JOHN    C.    WALKER,    STATE    PRINTER, 

1859. 
2  D.  J.— 20 


We  5V 

it  fa 


R  E  P  O  R  T 


QUARTER  MASTER  GENERALS'  OFFICE,  ) 
Indianapolis,  Jan.  28,  1859.      j 

Gentlemen  of  the  Senate: 

In  compliance  with  a  resolution  passed  by  you  on  the  26th 
inst,  I  beg  leave  to  make  the  following  report  in  regard  to  the 
Quarter  Master's  Department,  of  the  number  and  kinds  of  Arms 
the  State  of  Indiana  is  entitled  to  draw  yearly  from  the  United 
States  government. 

Prior  to  the  year  1855  we  drew  annually  about  four  hundred 
(400)  muskets,  or  their  equivalent  in  other  Arms.  In  1855  Gov- 
ernor Wright  succeeded  in  getting  the  number  increased  to 
nearly  six  hundred  (600)  guns.  The  arms  are  all  regulated  by 
the  price  of  muskets,  which  is  thirteen  dollars  ($13  00)  each, 
so  that  when  we1  draw  Arms  of  higher  price,  the  number  is  cur- 
tailed in  proportion  to  the  price. 

If  wre  could  have  a  report  of  the  full  strength  of  the  militia 
of  our  State  we  would  draw  at  least  double  the  number  we  now 
draw.  This  will  be  impossible  without  a  full  organization  of 
the  militia  of  the  State.. 

I  shall  not  be  able  to  give  you  a  minute  report  of  the  number 
of  Arms  in  the  State  at  this  time,  as  this  would  require  more  time 
than  I  now  have,  but  I  will  give  the  probably  amount,  which 
is,  I  suppose,  all  that  is  necessary  at  this  time.  A  great  number 
of  the  Arms  are  now  unfit  for  use.  They  are  mostly  the  old 
flint  lock,  which  are  going  entirely  out  of  use. 

Many  of  the  volunteer  companies  have  disbanded,  and  the 
arms  are  scattered  over  the  country.  Some  provision  should  be 
made  to  have  them  all  collected  and  returned  to  the  State  Arse- 
nal. The  Quarter  Master  cannot  ineur  any  expenses,  unles  di- 


•V.;*      264 

rectod  so  to  do  by  the  Governor  or  Legislature.  There  has  been 
no  appropriations  made  for  any  repairs  or  collections  of  Arms; 
therefore,  there  has  been  none  made. 

Many  of  the  Arms  are  worth  but  little,  indexed  hardly  worth 
collecting  and  freight.  We  have  at  this  time  in  the  Arsenal, 
between  six  hundred  (600)  and  seven  hundred  (700)  old  guns, 
returned  from  different  counties  unfit  for  use.  I  would  advise 
a  sale  of  all  the  old  flint  lock  guns,  with  all  the  old  Arms  of  the 
State  to  the  best  advantage.  True  they  would  not  bring  much, 
but  they  might  be  exchanged  for  new  Arms  at  what  they  are 
worth.  If  something  is  not  done  with  them  they  will  be  a  total 
loss  to  the  State.  I  am  informed  that  several  of  the  States  have 
sold  their  old  arms.  I  have  had  several  applications  from  pur- 
chasers ottering  to  buy  the  old  Arms,  but  having  no  authority 
to  dispose  of  them,  I  now  submit  the  matter  to  your  considera- 
tion. 

Prior  to  1852,  the  Arm*  were  given  out  on  bonds  with  secu- 
rities; the  Quarter  Master  not  being  acquainted  with  the  sure- 
ties on  bonds,  had  to  rely  on  the  certificates  of  clerks  of  the 
counties  in  which  the  arms  were  drawn  ;  consequently,  many  of 
the  securities  are  worthless,  at  best  the  bonds  are  mere  nominal 
things.  Since  1852  the  Arms  have  been  drawn  by  the  commis- 
sioners of  the  different  counties,  and  charged  to  the  counties. 

But  a  small  portion  of  the  State  is  supplied  with  Arms,  many 
of  the  counties  having  made  no  demand.  Some  that  have  had 
Arms  have  returned  them  to  the  State  Arsenal.  Some  counties 
have  drawn  largely  as  they  have  been  more  fully  organized  than 
others.  We  have  a  few  demands  at  this  time  that  we  cannot 
supply  until  we  draw  the  regular  quota  for  1859,  which,  I  think, 
will  be  in  May  or  June  next. 

The  Arms  are  in  the  care  of  the  Quarter  Master  General,  and 
distributed  by  him  at  the  direction  of  the  Governor.  The  cost 
of  keeping  the  Arms  are  follows : 

Rent  for  Arsenal $100  00 

Salary  of  Quarter  Master 100  00 


Total  cost  of  keeping  arms $200  00 

For  his  services,  which  consists  in  receiving  from  the  general 
government,  attending  to  renting  house  for  Arsenal,  and  all 
other  care  necessary  to  see  that  all  is  kept  safe  and  given  out 
when  so  directed  by  the  Governor,  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
Quarter  Master  receives  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars,  which 
is  the  smallest  sum  paid  by  any  State  in  the  Union. 

The  building  now  occupied  is  very  unsafe,  and  I  hope  you  will 
make  some  provision  for  a  good  State  Arsenal.  It  is  almost 
impossible  to  procure  a  suitable  room  for  an  Arsenal,  at  any 
reasonable  rent  at  this  time.  We  have  but  few  arms  on  hand 


265 

that  are  worth  much,  but  in  May  we  will  draw  our  quota  for  this 
year,  which  will  be  equal  to  six  hundred  (600)  muskets  with  ac- 
coutrements, which,  at  their  cost,  are  worth  about  ten  thousand 
dollars  ($^0,000).  You  will  see  from  this  that  the  State  should 
have  a  good,  safe  and  substantial  Arsenal  to  keep  her  arms  in, 
therefore,  I  would  suggest  the  propriety  of  the  State  building 
on  some  of  the  public  grounds  belonging  to  the  State,  a  good 
plain  building  sufficient  for  the  use  of  a  btate  Armory. 

There  are  now  in  the  armory  between  600  and  700  old 
guns,  with  accoutrements  entirely  unfit  for  use,  without 

repai  ri  n  g 600 

New  Percussion  Muskets 24 

New  Percussion  Rifles  20 

Musketoons , 20 

New  Sabres 9 

Coh's  Navy  Pistols 4 

New  Powder  Flasks 100 

Boxes  of  new  Accoutrements..,  5 


267 


STATISTICS  of  Arms  now  out  in  the  different  Counties,  with 
amount  of  Bonds  for  the  same,  prior  to  the  year  1852,  and  the 
cost  of  Arms  delivered  to  County  Commissioners  under  the  law  of 
1852,  with  the  names  of  the  Companies,  and  their  Captains,  draw- 
ing the  Arms. 


Date. 

NAMES  OP  COMPANIES. 

No.  of 
Guns. 

Amount. 

' 
1843. 

ADAMS  COUNTY.  - 
Decatur  Artillery,  Capt.  Samuel  Rugg— 

60 

Bonds. 
82  000  00 

April,  1c4G. 

Abbott  Dragoons,  Capt.  Braddock— 
Pistols  

100 

50 

50 

5.775  00 

July,  1850 

St.  Marys  Rifle  Company,  Captain  J.  B.  Britton— 

64 

2  800  00 

July  12   1850 

ALLEN   COUNTY. 

60 

Cost. 
1  020  00 

I2o) 

60  1 

l,3uO  00 

1846 

CLARK   COUNTY. 
Washington  Guards,  Captain  Wm.  Ingram  — 

6J 

Bond. 
1  700  00 

June  10,  1856. 

CARROLL  COUNTY. 

go 

Cost. 
1  <)2'J  00 

March  10,  1P47. 

CASS   COUNTY. 
Cass  County  Blues,  Capt.  Wm.  Brown  — 

40 

Bond. 
1  OOU  00 

JuneS,  1845. 

Cass  County  Rangers  — 
Hall's  rifles  

50 
ou 

2  000  00 

Dee.  1,  1855. 

[The  bonds  of  these  two  companies  have  been  sent  to  the  county 
auditor  for  collection.] 
Shipped  to  auditor  of  Cass  county  — 

60 

Cost. 
1  U20  00 

May  6,  184G. 

CLINTON  COUNTY. 
Owen  Guards,  Captain  E.  B.  Reed  — 

. 
40 

Bond. 
1  360  00 

Oct.  7,  1847. 

!     Frankfort  Guards,  Captain  Samuel  Ayres  — 

20 

667  00 

Feb.  7,  1847. 

!     Russelville  Rangers,  Capt.  W.  H.  Logan— 

40 

1  °60  00 

May  29   1854 

DEKALB  COUNTY 

100 

Cost. 

June  10,  1855. 

DELAWARE  COUNTY. 

60 

Cost. 
1  <<2  )  00 

1842. 

ELKHART   COUNTY. 
Goshen  Guards  — 

60 

Bond. 
I  9°8  00 

Aug.  6,  1845. 

j    Hunters  of  Elkhart,  Capt.  Eliphalet  Chase— 

60 

2  100  00 

[The  bonds  of  these  two  companies  have  been  sent  to  the  Au- 
|ditor  of  Elkhnrt  county.] 

268 
STATISTICS  of  Arm*,  ^c.— Continued. 


Date.                                            NAMES  OF  COMPANIES. 

No.  of 
Guns. 

Amount. 

!845. 

1843. 
N'  v.  22,  1845. 

Aug.  15,  1855. 

July  8.  1844. 
Oct.  2,  1855. 

March  24,  1851. 

Aug,  14,  1846. 

July  1,  1854. 
Oct.  27,  1847. 

Sept.  7,  1852. 

Aug.  1,  1846. 
Nor.  19,  1846. 

1842. 
June  25,  1853. 
Feb.  9.  1854. 

FAYE'TE  COUNTY. 
Jackson  Township  Volun'eers.  Tupt.  K.  N.  Taylor  — 

Bond. 
$2,000  0" 

Bonds. 
1,000  00 

1,775  00 

2,525  00 

Cost. 
;      1,360  99 

! 

Bond. 
:     2,888  00 
Cost. 
1,020  00 

Bond. 
4.000  00 

Bond. 
2,000  00 

Bond. 
1,025  Oil 

2,000  00 
Bond. 

2,1:0  oo 

Bond. 
2,000  00 

2,160  00 

Bond. 
2,000  00 

Cost 
1,020  00 

1,700  00 
1,'20  00 
1,020  00 

1,400  00 

FLOYD  COUNTY. 

!     Spencer  Greys,  care  of  Capt.  Frank.  New  Albany  — 

60 

German  Rifles.  Capt.  Collins  — 

40 

!     Floyd  County  Yellow-Jackets,  Cant.  Ira  Gunn— 
Hull's  patent  rifles  .... 

60 

:     [Bonds  of  these  two  companies  sent  to  auditor  for  collection.]     ! 
Shipped  to  county  comm  ssioners  —  Percussion  muskets  80 

FOUNTAIN   COUNTY. 

i     Captain  Z^chariah  Fergu-on  — 
Hall's  patent  rifles  :        50 

i     Shipped  to  courty  commissioners  — 

i         60 

GIBSON  COUNTY. 

'    Owensville  Guards.  Capt.  C.  Gordon— 

1520 

60 

GR\NT   COUNTY. 
Captain  John  M.  Wallace— 

60 

IIENDHICKS  COUNTY. 
Danville  Guards,  Capt.  Nichols— 

1 
i 

50 

4 

Captain  John  Scott— 

:         60 

JE'FERSON  COUNTY. 
Madiso'i  Guards,  Capt.  J.  A.  Hendncks— 

1 
64 

[Bond  sent  to  auditor.] 
JENNINGS  COUNTY. 
Vernou  Volunte-rs,  Capt.  Morris  Wildey— 

6 

Vernon  Artillery,  Capt   J.  H.  Baldwin— 

4,J 

JAY  COUNTY. 

60 

JASPER  COUNTY. 
Shipped  to  county  commissioners  —  Percussion  rifles 
LAPORTE  COUNTY. 
Shipi  ed  to  county  commissioners  — 

j 
complete  .  .         60 

100 

Itrcussion  music    ,  c  m\. 

Feici  saon  rines,  compiet-.  . 

60 

Caioines^com]^ 

p.        f  v,   i  f 

,,,V 

Pistols  fold)  .  . 

120) 

269 
STATISTICS  of  Arms,  $c.— Continued. 


Date. 


NAMES  OF  COMPANIES. 


No.  of 

Guns. 


LAPORTE  COUNTY.— Continued. 

Feb.  9,  1854.         {     Shipped  to  the  county  commissioners — 

Old  flint  muskets 40 

June  IF.  1856.     i  Colt's  navy  pistols 120} 

Sabres,  wi  h  full  accoutrements 60 \ 

Six  pounder  brass  cannon  and  carriage 

Caisson ,  complete I 

Artillery  sabres,  with  accoutrements,  (drawn  by  Col.  J.  C 
Walker.) 

LAWRENCE  COUNTY. 

Feb.  11, 1853.  Springville  Invincibles,  Capt.  R.  G.  Norville— 

Muskets 

MADISON  COUNTY. 

June  '23,  1846.          Pendleton  Invincibles,  Capt  A.  E.  Russell- 
Pistols 110) 

Sabres  and  accoutrements 42 1 

July,  1846.  Madison  County  Guard,  Capt.  G.  W.  Bowers — 

Muskets,  complete 

MARION  COUNTY. 

August  4,  1855.    J     Marion  Artillery,  Capt.  Darnell- 
Carbines,  complete 40, 

Six  pounder  cannon,  with  carriage,  com]  lete , 1 

April  10.  Indianapolis  National  Guards,  Capt.  G.  F.  McGinnis — 

Percussion  muskets,  complete 82 

August  28,  1656.       Clermont  Guards,  Capt.  James  Russell- 
Percussion  muskets 32 

April  20.  1858.          Indianapolis  City  Greys,  Captain  Hartwell— 

Percussion  muskets 72 

July,  1858.  Marion  Guards.  Capt.  Elijah  W.  McVey— 

Percussion  muskets 62 

August  25,  1858.      Marion  Cavalry,  Capt.  John  Love- 
Colt's  navy  pistols 70 

Sabres,  with  ful  1  accoutrements 

Colt's  pistols  issued  for  State  Prison  and  other  purposes 56 

MARSHALL  COUNTY. 

June  12, 1854.          Shipped  to  county  commissioners — 

Muskets  complete 

Carbines  (new)  complete 

MIAMI  COUNTY. 

July  20, 1854.  Shipped  to  county  commissioners — 

Percussion  muskets,  complete 100 

June  10,  1856.                     Percussion  muskets,  complete 60 

July  29,  1858.                     Percussion  rifles  (new)  complete 30j 

Flii, trifle*  (old) '. 4<,( 

Sets  of  accoutrements 70) 

MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 

July  16. 1849.           Ladoga  Infantry,. Capt.  E.  Kennedy- 
Muskets,  complete 

June  26,  18"4.          Ladoga  Artillery,  Capt.  D.  Armstr.  ng— 

Muskets,  complete 60 

June  26,  1854.          Shipped  to  county  commissioners,  for  the  use  of  Cnptain  Gref- 

finjrs'  company — Yager  rifles,  complete 

[Bonds  of  two  first  companies  sent  to  auditor  of  county.] 
Oct.  2,  1854.  Shipped  to  Capt.  A.  Harper,  by  order  of  county  commissioners — 

Percussion  muskets 80 

Dec.  1,  1855.  Shipped  to  rapt.  Wood,  by  order  of  county  commissioners — 

Percussion  muskets,  complete 

1RS6.                Shipped  to  Col.  L.  Wallace,  by  order  of  county  commissioners — 
Percussion  muskets 


270 
STATISTICS  of  Arms,  ^.—Continued. 


Date. 


NAMES  OF  COMPANIES. 


No.  of 
Guns. 


Amount. 


MOEGAN  COUNTY. 


May  20,  1858.           Shipped  to  county  commissioners —  Cost. 

Percussion  muskets,  complete 80       $1,300  00 

NOBLE  COUNTY. 

J»ly  17, 1856.  Shipped  to  county  commissioners—  Cost. 

Percussion  muskets,  complete 60          1,020  00 

A«g.  26,  1856.  Percussion  rifles,  complete 50  85000 

ORANGE  COUNTY. 

1842.  Orange  Guards,  Capt.  Jas.  W.  Webb —  Bond. 

Muskets,  complete 64         2,OUO  00 

OHIO  COUNTY. 

Rising  Sun  Greys—  Bond. 

Hall's  rifles,  complete 40         1,68000 

PARKE  COUNTY. 

June  11, 1858.          Shipped  to  county  commissioners —  Cost. 

Percussion  muskets,  complete 60         1,02000 

PORTER  COUNTY. 

June  9,  1855.            Shipped  to  county  commissioners —  Cost. 

Oldmuskets,  complete 100  1,400  00 

July23,1855.                     Old  pistols 100)  i  oa4  nn 

Sabres,  with  new  acoutrements 50) 

PUTNAM  COUNTY. 

Feb.  9,  1854.             Shipped  to  county  commissioners—  Cost. 

Percussion  muskets 100         1,700  00 

Percussion  rifles,  complete 60          1,02000 

Six  pounder  cannon  and  carriage 

PERRY  COUNTY. 

1843.  Indiana  Blues,  Capt  Patterson—  Bond. 

Muskets,  complete 60         2,00»<  00 

POSEY   COUNTY. 

Wabash  Rangers,  Capt.  Richard  Owen- 
Pistols  with  holsters 122; 

Sabres,  complete 6l 

MOT.  2,  1840.            Mount  Vernon  Guards ,  Capt.  W.  J.  Whitney—  Bond. 

Muskets,  complete 60         2,000  00 

RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 

Cost. 

Id  ay  26,  1856.  Percussion  muskets 60         2,04000 

Percussion  rifles,  all  complete. 

RIPLEY  COUNTY. 

1845.              Capt.  Calvin  Westover—  Bond. 

Hall's  rifles,  complete 60         2,500  00 

RUSH  COUNTY. 

1848.                Shipped  to  county  commissioners—  Cost. 

Oldmuskets 60         1,000  00 

SCOTT  COUNTY. 

New  Frankfort  Artillery,  Capt.  Geo.  E.  Vanpelt—  Bond. 

Musketa 60         2,00000 


271 
STATISTICS  of  Arms,  j-c.— Continued. 


Date. 


NAMES  OF  COMPANIES. 


No.  of 
Guns. 


SHELBY    COUNTY. 

Nov.  3,  1846.  Washington  Troop,  Capt.  Nath.  Early  wine— 

Pistils,  complete 100) 

Sabres,  complete 50j     *2'950  °° 

Feb.  18,  1847.           Shelby ville  Infantry,  Capt.  Jas.  Jones—  Bond. 

Muskets,  complete 70         2,200  00 

ST.  JOSEPH  COUNTY. 

May20,  1856.  Percussion  muskets 50 

June  1,  1858.  Percussion  muskets,  sent  to  Notre  Dame  University 60. 

[These  arms  were  shipped  to  county  commissioners.] 

STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

Jan.  25,  1855.  Shipped  to  ceunty  commissioners — 

Percussion  muskets,  complete 

SULLIVAN  COUNTY. 

Shipped  to  county  commissioners — 

Percussion  muskets,  complete , 

TIPPECANOE  COUNTY. 

r   1,  1856.             Shipped  to  county  commissioners- 
Percussion  muskets,  complete 

1842.                Lafayette  Blues- 
Hall's  patent  rifles 52 

1843  Tippecanoe  Guards  - 

Hall's  patent  rifles 50 

[Bonds  of  these  two  companies  sent  to  county  auditor.] 

VANDERBURGH  COUNTY. 

July  12,  1855.          Shipped  to  county  commissioners — 

Percussion  muskets 64 

Six  pounder  brass  cannon,  with  carriage  and  appendages  1 

VIGO  COUNTY.     . 

Aug.  1,  1846,  Honey  Creek  Guards,  Capt.  John  P.  Dufley— 

Muskeis,  complete 50 

April  21,  1847.          Riley  Greys,  Capt.  John  McMullen— 

Muskets,  complete 40 

Sept.  22,  1817.          Shipped  to  county  commissioners — 

Old  muskets 60 

June  21,  1858.  Percussion  muskets,  complete 60 

WARRICK   COUNTY. 

May  12,  1845.  Boonville  Infantry,  Capt.  J.  A.  Reynolds- 
Muskets,  complete 

March  21,  1845.  Newburg  Rifle  Company,  Capt.  Sam  Luce- 
Hall's  Patent  Rifles 

WABASH  COUNTY. 

Au?.  9,  1846.  Michael  English— 

Muskets,  complete 58 

July  9, 1855.             Shipped  to  Auditor- 
Percussion  muskets,  complete 100 

WARREN  COUNTY. 

July  20.  1856.  Shipped  t3  county  commissioners — 

Percussion  muskets 60 

Percussion  rifles 40 

March  4,  1843.          Independent  Blues,  Capt.  Clarkson— 

Muskets,  complete 60 


272 


STATISTICS  of  Arms,  $•<?..— Continued. 


Date. 


May  27,  1854. 


1842. 


Jun«  19,  1857. 


Jane  3, 1854. 


Pee.  SO,  1856. 


NAMES  OF  COMPANIES. 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 

Shipped  to  county  commissioners — 

Percussion  muskets,  complete 


WAYNE  COUNTY. 

Green  Townshipg  Light  Infantry,  Capt.  J.  B.  Caty— 

Muskets,  complete 

Wayne  Cadets,  Capt.  E.  W.  Culver- 
Muskets,  complete , 

Shipped  to  Capt.  Cockefair  by  order  of  county  commissioners — 
Yager  rifles , 


WELLS  COUNTY. 

Shipped  to  county  commissioners^ 

Muskets,  complete 


WHITE  COUNTY. 


Shipped  to  county  commissioners — 
Percussion  muskets,  complete. 
Percussion  rifles,  comi'lete — 


No.  of 
Guns. 


100 


100 


CO 


Amount. 


Cost. 
$1,700  00 


Bond. 
2,()<>0  00 

2,000  00 

Cost. 
1,020  00 


Cost. 
1,7CO  00 


Cost. 
1,020  00 
1,020  00 


273 

SUMMARY  OF  ARMS  BELONGING  TO  STATE. 

Name  of  Arms  distributed  as  per  Report. 

Muskets 4,288 

Rifles 1,214 

Carbines •  • 250 

Sabres 677 

Pistols. 1,138 

Cannons  and  carnages 6 

Caisson. • 1 

Remaining  in  the  Armory,  about 

Muskets 500 

Rifles 100 

Sabres 9 

Pistols 6 

Out  of  the  whole  number  of  pistols,  two  hundred  and  fifty  are 
Colt's  navy  pistols,  drawn  in  1857 ;  two  hundred  and  forty-six  of 
which  have  been  distributed,  four  remaining  in  the  Armory. 

There  are,  I  have  no  doubt,  a  large  number  of  arms  scattered 
over  the  State  that  there  is  no  account  of.  Prior  to  the  year  1842, 
the  arms  were  given  out  on  the  order  of  the  generals  and  colonels 
of  the  several  brigades  and  regiments,  of  which  I  have  no  account 
in  my  office. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Your  obedient  servent, 

SAMUEL  BECK, 
Quarter- Master  General  Indiana  Militia. 


iYC  63103 


M218849 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  UBRARY 


